The following is excerpted from a 1950s high school home economics textbook

HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead even the night before to have a delicious meal -on time. This is a way of letting hint know that you have been thinking about him and are
concerned about his needs. Most men an hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal _.is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you’ll be refreshed when he arrives.
Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His
boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just
before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a
dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and
order, and it will give you a lift too.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if
they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little
treasures and he would like to see them playing the part

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer and dryer
dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet Be happy to see
him. Greet hint with a warm smile and be glad to see him..

Some don’ts. Don’t greet him with problems or Complaints. Don’t complain if he’s
late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest
he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his
pillow and offer to take oftfhis shoes. Speak in a low, soft soothing and pleasant voice.
Allow him to relax and unwind.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival
is not the time, Let him talk first

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not lake you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment.Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband c an renew himself in  body and spirit.